How Leadership Training Works

Leadership training courses are as varied as the companies who use them. Countless organizations have developed leadership training programs, and as in all things, some are good and some aren't. Leadership training programs also take a lot of different forms, so rating them against one another is not always possible. The training program you should choose depends largely on your learning style, and also what you (or your company) are able to afford.

Unsurprisingly, online leadership training courses have gained popularity over the last several years. With the economy still struggling, online courses allow an individual to participate without spending time and money on travel expenses. Cornell University is one educational institution that has directed some of its resources into online courses. Their classes cover a wide range of topics in the field of leadership and management, from budgets to strategic planning. You can take individual classes or enroll in a certificate program, which requires a combination of different classes for completion. In-person workshops have long been a popular venue for leadership training. Companies like Twenty-First Century Leadership offer a variety of seminars, as well as custom in-house programs commissioned by organizations. Some courses follow a lecture curriculum, while others teach leadership skills in the context of outdoor challenges or role-playing. There are lots of options for every kind of learner.

Again, all leadership training courses are different, but there are some common themes usually found across the spectrum. Here are some examples of those themes:

Now that we've looked at the different options for leadership training courses, let's talk about the different types of leaders.

Not all leaders operate and make decisions in the same way. Professor Kurt Lewin, a German-born psychologist who studied group dynamics in the 1930s and 1940s, defined three different leadership styles: autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire.

Autocratic leaders make decisions in a vacuum. No outside consultation is expected or welcome. Once the decision is made, an autocratic leader expects complete compliance. While there may be some instances in which an autocratic leadership style is beneficial -- such as a crisis situation where time is of the essence -- it's not a methodology that fosters communication in the workplace. Additionally, if your subordinates are already suffering from low morale, making decisions without taking their input into consideration won't assuage the situation [source: Money-Zine.com].

Democratic leadership doesn't necessarily mean that everyone gets a vote; instead, more opinions are considered when the leader makes a decision. This is the leadership style most likely to result in group consensus, though not always. Ultimately, the decision-making still resides with the leader, no matter how many other voices are part of the debate [source: Learn to Be a Leader].

Laissez-faire (a French term meaning "to let be") is more commonly used to describe a style of economics where government intervention is minimal. Likewise, laissez-faire leaders allow their subordinates to carry out tasks as they see fit. The success of this leadership style depends largely on the subordinates, rather than the leaders; motivated workers can make the system a success, while unorganized or inept workers will result in an unproductive workplace [source: BusinessMate.org].

It's rare for people to stick with one style of leadership, no matter what their natural inclinations might be. Usually a leader will adopt the style that best fits the situation at hand and the group of people involved. For example, an autocratic style of leadership might be far more beneficial in a crisis situation than a laissez-faire approach.

So, what kinds of activities can get you started on the road to becoming a better leader? See the next page to learn more.

There are some things you can do to begin the process of leadership training. Your Leadership Legacy is a book that also has a Web site, and its authors offer speaking engagements. The main page features a Leadership Style Assessment test -- not strictly adhering to Lewin's three categories, but offering more specific styles of leadership that highlight some of the test taker's personal attributes in the workplace. Another online resource is MindTools, which has an entire page devoted to leadership training activities, articles and assessment tests.

If you're interested in activities for you and your co-workers, there are a number of Web sites that offer free activities and games aimed at building better communication and relationships within the group, something that all leaders should strive to improve. The activities can range from role-playing exercises to physical challenges.

Even if you have no desire to become a leader in your working environment, a lot of these activities and articles can help you recognize your own strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, they can help you better understand the people who lead you, and how you might better relate to one another. And who knows? Maybe all of this will make you realize you really do want to be an inspirational, dedicated leader in your workplace. If that's the case, use this information to kick-start your dreams and find the right leadership training course for you.

See the links on the next page for lots more information on leadership training.